Five Questions with Drew Holt-Kentwell, Chaos Theory

A former professional gamer, and esports manager at Razer, he has the pedigree and know-how to succeed in the gaming industry, but it is still an uphill battle. As the founder of Singapore’s first esports team, Chaos Theory, Drew has set the challenge of building the esports industry in Singapore and the rest of the region squarely on his shoulders.

While esports is a passion industry, it is still a very young and under-developed market in the region, so bringing professional, growth, and investment into the region can be challenging.

When Drew isn’t managing the team and building his network, you can probably find him glued to his gaming PC practising what he preaches.

Find out how Drew plans to bring esports into the mainstream.

An esports team in action. Image courtesy of Chaos Theory

Sell us your company/service in 300 words?

Today esports is watched by over half a billion people worldwide. There are professional teams – with coaches, major global sponsors, and training facilities – that travel the world to compete in huge stadiums in front of thousands, for prize pools of up to USD$24 million. Whilst South East Asia accounts for 40% of global viewership, it is seriously lacking the proper infrastructure; Singapore even more so.

We founded Chaos Theory, Singapore’s first professional esports team, in order to kick-start this process, as well as raise awareness about how the esports ecosystem at large provides viable career opportunities for younger generations looking to get involved.

Playing games competitively might seem like a stretch, but there are Singaporeans who have earned over USD$1 million just from prize money. We pay our players salaries, as full employees of the company, contribute to their CPF, offer injury management programs, medical benefits, and support from fantastic sponsors like Razer, Foodpanda, and Zero Dot One. But playing competitively requires devotion, fast reflexes, strategy,
commitment, and chemistry with the rest of the team. Earning money this way is difficult, and not many people will make it unless they are extremely talented.

Today, however, teams like Chaos Theory are operated by back-end staff: general managers, team managers, coaches, social media experts, business development executives, salesmen, and many more. We are providing those opportunities, in abundance, for those who want to pursue careers in esports.

For brands and sponsors, we offer the best possible access to a new demographic of highly engaged millennials that are both ready to spend and are able to do so with two clicks of a mouse. In Chaos Theory we house dozens of influencers, and run compelling campaigns within the industry, to attract thousands to engage with and purchase product from our sponsors.

What is stopping you from having the largest company in the world?

Time! So much to do and so little time to do it.

If you could change one thing about the tech industry in Southeast Asia, what would it be?

I’d encourage more tech companies or stakeholders to look towards the growing phenomenon that is esports. They should realise the sheer potential it has to unite communities, build brands, and affect cultural change in a positive way. Esports is set for massive growth in Asia, and to grow properly, and in a healthy fashion, it will need the support of the tech industry.

Name one person in the region, who is making a difference in Technology?

Given Razer’s recent listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange, and the launch of the Razer Phone, Min-Liang Tan, my former boss, is making great strides for tech in South East Asia, beyond doubt. We’re excited to continue working closely with Razer on several exciting esports projects, too.

What would you want people to remember you for, 100 years from now?

As someone who helped nurture and pioneer a new, exciting industry, and as someone who helped create great opportunities for younger generations.

About Drew Holt-Kentwell

Drew started his esports career 11+ years ago as a player, representing the UK in esports and then Reason Gaming, a UK based pro esports team, where he went on to become General Manager. He then went to Razer for 4 years where he became head of global esports, looking after sponsorships and esports marketing. Drew is now the founder of Catalyst Esports Solutions, an esports brand marketing agency; Spawn Point, an events, and media company; FTW Talent, an esports talent agency; and Chaos Theory, Singapore’s first professional esports team.